SIA New Member Profile: Eastern Security Services

New Security Industry Association (SIA) member Eastern Security Services is a third-generation family-owned and operated security provider headquartered in Syracuse, New York, with offices in Buffalo and Corning and a dedicated team serving the Rochester area. The company’s primary focus is upstate New York and the Southern Tier – from Buffalo to Albany – but it supports clients in homes and businesses across the country.

SIA spoke with Vinny Peone, director of marketing at Eastern Security Services, about the company, the security industry and working with SIA.

Tell us the story of your company.

Vinny Peone: Eastern Security Services may have been officially founded in 1976 in Elmira, New York, but our roots stretch back even earlier, to 1970, when Russell A. MacDonnell launched Sonitrol Security Systems with a vision to bring innovation and integrity to electronic security. His passion set the tone for a family legacy that’s continued for more than five decades. In 1985, his son, Russell R. MacDonnell, carried that legacy forward by opening Sonitrol Services of New York in Syracuse. Then, in 1999, the Syracuse Sonitrol team acquired Eastern Security Services, uniting the two companies under one name and one mission: to protect what matters most.

Since its founding, Eastern Security Services has grown into a trusted leader in the security and life safety industry. We’ve been dedicated to protecting homes, businesses, schools, hospitals and municipalities throughout Upstate New York and the Southern Tier. In 2013, Cooper MacDonnell, the third generation of our family business, joined the sales team in Syracuse. A decade later, in 2023, Cooper was named president and led the expansion of our services into Rochester and Buffalo.

What started as a local operation has grown into something much larger. Today, our team has doubled in size, and we’ve been honored with several industry and community awards – including Best Places to Work, Family Business Leader of the Year, Economic Champions and back-to-back SAMMY Awards from Security Sales and Integration. Through every milestone, we’ve stayed grounded in our family values and driven by a simple belief: people deserve to feel safe where they live, work and learn.

What solutions/services does your business offer in the security industry? And what makes your offerings or your company unique?

VP: At Eastern Security Services, we specialize in providing comprehensive security and life safety solutions for both residential and commercial clients. Our offerings include everything from intrusion detection systems and fire alarms to advanced video surveillance, access control and even weapons and gunshot detection systems. We also offer mobile surveillance trailers, professional monitoring and preventive maintenance plans to ensure your systems are always running at their best.

What truly sets us apart is our commitment to exceptional service, backed by a team with decades of experience. With several employees on our team boasting 30+ years of expertise, we ensure that you receive the highest level of knowledge and professionalism. We work closely with you through every step of the process, from designing and installing your systems to providing ongoing support and maintenance, all while maintaining a personal touch that prioritizes your unique needs and peace of mind.

What is something we might not know about your company – or something new you are doing in security?

VP: While Eastern Security has been safeguarding homes and businesses across New York for nearly 50 years, it’s only in recent years that we’ve truly captured the industry’s attention – thanks to a bold and innovative social media presence. We’re active across five platforms, regularly sharing creative, engaging content that showcases both our expertise and our unique personality.

In 2024, we were honored with the SAMMY Award for Best Social Media Campaign, thanks to our viral video series on the hotly debated topic of “work from home” alarm monitoring. The following year, we earned a second SAMMY Award for Best Promotional Giveaway Item, with judges highlighting not only the giveaway’s quality, but also the viral marketing onslaught that made it a standout success.

What is your company’s vision, and what are your goals for the security industry?

VP: Our vision at Eastern Security Services is to continue expanding our clientele across upstate New York, while positioning ourselves as a leading provider of security and life safety solutions in the Northeast. We aim to grow by consistently delivering exceptional service, innovative technology and personalized solutions that protect what matters most to our clients. As we move forward, our goal is to be recognized as the trusted choice for both residential and commercial security needs, setting the standard for excellence in the industry.

What do you think are the biggest opportunities in the security industry right now?

VP: We believe that video monitoring, artificial intelligence and the integration of security with home automation represent major opportunities in the industry. Video monitoring systems are becoming smarter, and AI is enabling faster, more accurate threat detection. The integration of security with home automation allows for more seamless and proactive solutions, creating an opportunity for security providers to offer more comprehensive and customized systems for their residential clients.

What do you enjoy most about being at your company – and in the security industry?

VP: What I enjoy most about being at Eastern Security Services is the opportunity to be involved in so many aspects of the business. I get to share our story, highlight the hard work of our team and educate our clients on the importance of security and life safety solutions. Whether it’s working with our technicians in the field, collaborating with other integrators and security manufacturers or developing marketing strategies, I’m constantly learning and finding new ways to help the company grow and keep our community safer! It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a team that’s always innovating and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the security industry.

What does SIA offer that is most important to you/your company? And what do you most hope to get out of your membership with SIA?

VP: We joined SIA to connect with industry leaders, expand educational opportunities, and enhance recognition for our team. With nearly 50 years as integrators, we’re excited to actively contribute to the community – by not only sharing our expertise, but also leading the way in marketing and brand development.

The views and opinions expressed in guest posts and/or profiles are those of the authors or sources and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Security Industry Association.